How to Transcribe a Voice Tape

by Sujata Srinivasan - Updated September 26, 2017

Learning to transcribe a voice tape takes time, practice and patience. Whether you need to replicate on paper a recorded interview conducted by you or someone else or transcribe a set of instructions from a specialist such as a medical doctor or lawyer, these time-tested instructions will help you get started.

Items you will need

Dictaphone or the newer digital voice recorder

Batteries

Headset

PC

Internet

Notepad

Pen

Associated Press Stylebook

Chicago Manuel of Style

Dictionary

Follow the user guide that comes along with the equipment. A dictaphone is like a tape recorder with record, play, fast forward and rewind options. For longer, sit-down interviews, place the microphone on a table, as close to the interviewee as possible. For quick comments, you can hold the dictaphone in your hand.

Type the following details before you begin: 1. Names of the interviewee, interviewer and yourself--the person who is transcribing the interview (or) name of the company, person and title if you are transcribing medical or legal information from a voice tape 2. Date, start time and end time of the interview 3. Number of words and characters upon completion

Familiarize yourself with the stylebook. When you transcribe a voice tape, you are expected to write down the content verbatim, word for word. That means you cannot alter the document in any way, shape or form, grammatical errors included. Begin to transcribe, stopping often and rewinding the tape to clearly hear and recognize every word. On average, break sentences into around 10 words and transcribe before proceeding further.

When completed, listen to the tape again while reading your typed document. Correct errors, if any.

Spell check. No one wants to read a document that says "pubic property" or "hiring manger."

Tips

Give it a once-over to make sure it's perfect.

References

About the Author

Sujata Srinivasan is a Connecticut-based freelance business journalist with over 10 years of reporting and editing experience. Key positions held include: Editor of Connecticut Business Magazine, Senior Financial Editor at Ness Technologies, and Correspondent and Interim Bureau Chief at CNBC-TV 18. She has a bachelor's degree in Business Management, a post-graduate diploma (hons) in journalism, and an M.A. in Economics.

Photo Credits

Wikimedia Commons, AarinFreePhoto.com

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